Lebanese Syrian relations face obstacles

Since the fall of the Assad regime on 8 December 2024, Lebanon and Syria have been engaged in serious negotiations and discussions with one another. The aim to develop friendly and healthy relations between the two has been of vital importance from both Beirut and Damascus. However, despite various rounds of constructive talks and even initiatives, there remain certain contentious sticking points to be resolved to achieve the intended goal.

From here, The Beiruter reached out to Mai Najeh Khallouf, an elected member of the Syrian People’s Assembly in the October 2025 elections, to better understand the evolving dynamics in the Lebanese Syrian relations.

How does Syria (the official authorities) assess Lebanese Syrian relations today?

Khallouf confirmed that “relations between Syria and Lebanon are moving toward a new framework, as official ties have taken on a cooperative character rather than the former Assad-era tutelary approach. After the liberation, a clear political decision was made to open the unresolved files between the two countries.”

The most important of the aforementioned cases that has been opened, according to Khallouf, includes “the judicial file concerning Syrians imprisoned in Lebanese jails, the file of Syrian refugees in Lebanon, the Lebanese missing in Syria, as well as the demarcation of the border and securing its integrity.”

She asserted that “coordination is taking place at the level of the official authorities in both countries, and dialogue has moved to a high diplomatic level (the presidency represented by President Ahmad al-Sharaa, and the ministers of foreign affairs, interior, and justice).” Such representation is notable given the de facto break in diplomatic relations between the two countries since the start of the Syrian civil war in 2011.

Areas in which the Lebanon and Syria can cooperate and coordinate

Khallouf claimed that cooperation and coordination will prioritize the following urgent files:

-          Border control and security: “through coordination between the two countries, and preventing crime, arms smuggling, as well as prohibited substances.”

-          Syrians in Lebanese prisons: “especially since it has been officially stated that they will be handed over to the Syrian authorities; negotiations are still ongoing.”

-          The Lebanese missing in Syria during the Assad-regime era: “an extremely complex issue as it pertains to the Syrian-Lebanese reality prior to the fall of the regime, especially given that more than 300,000 Syrians remain missing in the ousted regime’s prisons. Thus, the file is thorny, and reaching a conclusion is extremely difficult and may require decades.”

Khallouf believed that “there is also coordination between the two countries on matters related to the economy, trade, and infrastructure, while the Syrian authorities link any cooperation with Lebanon to resolving the cases of Syrian prisoners in Lebanese jails and ensuring security cooperation to control the border.”

She added that “political files are also being addressed, particularly issues related to coordination between the two countries in international forums, especially regarding shared concerns.”

What are the obstacles and pending problems in the Lebanese Syrian relations?

Khallouf revealed that “significant efforts are being made to establish genuine relations, but the two countries face several obstacles,” such as:

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The legacy of memory between them and the Syrian tutelage over Lebanon from 1976 to 2005, which left a deep rift (at both official and popular levels) that must be addressed and repaired through rebuilding trust.

- “Lebanon’s internal divisions between supporters and opponents of the new authority in Syria.” Indeed, this was clearly revealed during the coastal and Sweida clashes in Syria, as its echoes and influence crossed to the Lebanese scene.

- “The obstacle related to the issue of Hezbollah’s weapons in Lebanon, its relationship and support for the former regime against the revolution, its participation in the war against Syrians, and the support provided by some Lebanese actors to Assad in international arenas.” It is worth noting that Hezbollah had participated in the Syrian civil war since 2012-2013 (with the battle of al-Qusayr) before withdrawing only after the fall of the regime it sought to keep in power.

Khallouf added that “Lebanese Syrian relations are also naturally affected by the sanctions and the Western and Gulf positions toward Syria.”

In conclusion, will Lebanese Syrian relations in the post-Assad era witness a friendly and healthy relationship, marked by mutual respect, understanding and benefit?